Endless HiteJinro and Cargo Solidarity Conflict... Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Holds Rally in Front of Headquarters

HiteJinro and Cargo Solidarity Conflict Continues
No Major Progress in Negotiations... Differences Over Reinstatement Issues
KCTU to Hold Rally in Front of Headquarters on 31st

On the afternoon of the 31st, union members are listening to on-site speeches at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' rally for recognizing the primary employer status, withdrawing provisional seizure and attachment, amending the Trade Union Act, and winning the Hite Jinro struggle, held in front of the Hite Jinro headquarters in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Reader Provided

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The conflict between HiteJinro and the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions over transportation fee increases and withdrawal of damage compensation lawsuits is becoming prolonged. As negotiations show little progress, tensions that had briefly subsided are showing signs of flaring up again.

According to industry sources on the 31st, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a rally starting at 2 p.m. in front of HiteJinro headquarters in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, demanding recognition of the principal employer status, withdrawal of damage compensation and provisional seizure, and amendments to the Labor Union Act. More than 1,000 people gathered at the rally, and police are controlling the scene. So far, there have been no significant clashes.

They stated, "HiteJinro transportation workers have been tied to the same freight rates for 15 years and have been protesting for 16 days by climbing the advertising tower at HiteJinro headquarters demanding contract termination for union members," adding, "HiteJinro, the real boss holding 100% shares of Suyang Logistics, which employs these workers, is consistently ignoring the situation, severely worsening it."

They also claimed, "The union has lifted the occupation of the headquarters lobby and is entering negotiations, but there has been no progress. Instead, what the workers and union demanding their right to livelihood have faced are two lawsuits filed by the company demanding 5.5 billion KRW in damages."

HiteJinro, Suyang Logistics?the entrusted cargo transportation company of HiteJinro?and the Cargo Solidarity have continued negotiations since partially lifting the occupation of the headquarters on the 24th, but no significant progress has been made. It is known that there are large differences in opinions regarding the reinstatement of union members whose contracts were terminated. They are demanding an increase in transportation fees, reinstatement of terminated union members, and withdrawal of damage compensation lawsuits and injunctions filed against union members. In previous negotiations, only executives such as the executive director and managing director of Suyang Logistics and the Cargo Solidarity executive committee attended, but now the CEO of Suyang Logistics is directly participating as a negotiator, and the logistics team leader of HiteJinro headquarters is attending as an observer.

The conflict between the two sides has continued for five months. About 130 cargo truck owners affiliated with Suyang Logistics, the entrusted cargo transportation company of HiteJinro, joined the Cargo Solidarity under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions at the end of March and started a partial strike, escalating to a full strike in June. They held rallies at the Icheon and Cheongju plants and are now occupying the headquarters.

HiteJinro filed a damage compensation lawsuit worth approximately 2.77 billion KRW against 11 union members, claiming losses due to delayed product shipments caused by the Cargo Solidarity strike in June. On the 29th of last month, they filed additional damage compensation lawsuits against 14 union members. As a result, the number of defendants in the damage compensation lawsuits filed by the company has increased to a total of 25, including the original 11.